Magic Band

The Magic Band are a reformed version of Captain Beefheart's backing band. The Magic Band reformed in 2003 with John French on drums, lead vocals and harmonica, Gary Lucas and Denny Walley on guitars, Rockette Morton on bass, and Robert Williams on drums for the vocal numbers. The initial impetus came from Matt Groening who wanted them to play at the All Tomorrows Parties festival he was curating. For their subsequent European tour, Williams left and was replaced by Michael Traylor. They toured the UK in 2005, playing a selection of small venues. They played over 30 shows throughout Europe, and one in the United States. The group disbanded in 2006 but reformed in 2008. The Magic Band still continues to tour to this day, although with line-up changes.

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Links To Peel

John Peel was initially skeptical about the re-formed Magic Band. He played a live recording of the band recorded at the 2003 All Tomorrow's Parties festival on his radio show; afterwards he couldn't speak and had to put on another record to regain his composure. Later the band did a live session for him.

When the band disbanded for two years in 2006, John French issued a public statement on which, among other things, thanked Peel for his support and payed hommage to him.[1]

"July 2004 was the John Peel show and it was such a happy reunion for me as I had not seen him since 1968. The following October, he died of a heart attack, which I can truly say crushed my spirit for a few days. We sent out a song to him in 2005 on each night – Electricity – which had been performed on his original show back in 1968 and was again performed in 2004. He told me it brought tears to his eyes. His death brought tears to mine"